Adrian Smith

  • Thread starter Thread starter Anonymous
  • Start date Start date
The hyperbole & mythologizing of guitarists on the internet generally (including Adrian Smith in this thread) is laughable.

I know Roy & Adrian detuned. I've read that they put bass strings on their guitars on for some of the recordings. From this undoubted fact (I'm not denying this), we have (on the internet generally; not said by you guys) that they used bass strings on "most of the tracks"; then with Maiden, live. This is conflating two separate stories, through cut & paste internet journalism, hearsay, non-referenced sources, & plain misunderstanding.

Adrian was asked (2000) if he used bass strings on BNW:
http://maidenfans.com/index.php?ACT=module&name=rwarticles&show=42

"Did you use that Jackson (with bass string) to record Brave New World? If the answer is no, why?"
Adrian: No it wasn't appropriate

So, yes, he experimented with using bass guitar strings on a regular six string guitar. I get it. Did he do this with Maiden? I don't read anything, anywhere, to suggest he did. Does he detune to D (or lower) with Maiden? Yes, I'm not disputing this. Did he have a run-in with Steve over this. Again, I read/see no evidence of this (as it sounds like nonsense). Does he use some different guitar(s) for detuning? I doubt it; no other guitarist does (--as alluded to in his interview regarding detuning of his Jackson). Is detuning some radical, experimental, "out there" guitar technique? No. Practically anyone with a guitar who wants to play power chords, easier, experiments with detuning at some point. Here's Adrian's signature guitar with a little device fitted to allow D-tuning:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/110972923424?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649

... this is to get around the tuning problems associated with detuning one string, on guitars with Floyd Rose bridges. Either way, Adrian has a technician who will have the guitar he plays FotD on, already set-up.

Stop mythologizing the man. He doesn't need it.
 
Bahaha what an exaggerated post man. I only told you that he used bass strings in 1998 and that I wouldn't be surprised if he ever did that again afterwards.
 
I understand your point. It was well made. I didn't want to make the post ridiculous or something. Your post was just such a sudden outburst.

But Chris also made a point. He probably can't prove that the guitar during RiR contains bass strings but what's wrong with suggesting it (by hearing e.g.).

I wonder what he himself might add to that.
 
I could hear that it was downtuned but I haven't watched RiR in years, so I added just that he *might* have used the Molossian on that recording. I'm looking now, but again, it could *just* be his King V w/o the bass string. Now, I don't recall hearing any drop-tuning in Maiden beyond this RiR show. Perhaps they did, but my impression (a terrible thing apparently on the interwebs) is that he did not do drop-tuning after this tour. Feel free to post a YouTube video of a Maiden show beyond this tour that has evidence of it, though; I'd love to hear it.
 
Alright, I just watched "Wrathchild" and it sure sounds like Adrian is in drop-tuning. But, he's using his Strat, so probably no Molossian. I'll keep looking/listening.
 
I think the culprit is Adrian's pale yellow/white (?) Strat- when he plays it the sound is drop-tuned, to my old, dumb ears. I withdraw my earlier Molossian comment, may it please the jury. ;)
 
It's not really anything to do with your ears Chris... :)

The "molossian" was built/set-up by a guy called Richard Carr, who worked on Bruce's solo albums. (Not sure which, but I assume The Chemical Wedding since that's frequently referenced in respect to this heavy sound they produced.) Roy & H used them in the studio, but just think about how you'd have to adapt a guitar to take bass guitar strings; lots (& lots) of modifications have to be made. With H being a phenomenal stickler for tuning & intonation (from what he says) I'm not that sure if the guitar would stand up to touring, to his standards. Maybe. But, with Maiden, it's just a regular guitar.

Yeh, apologies for the outburst Forostar --I was reading some Adrian stuff online (not here) & it's sickeningly fawning. Just read this cringe-worthy "Bio" close to home:

http://maidenfans.com/band/adrian_smith

... this is the sort of slant I can't be bothered with at all.
 
Really don't need to be part of a pointless argue (cause "godlike" stuff about Adrian here is about hyperbolic humour, eg. not serious), but here are some facts;

- Adrian used a different, detuned guitar every tour. Say any post 1997 tour, and you'll get a specific answer.
- Adrian never used bass string on Jackson KV with Maiden. In fact, he didn't use that guitar on stage after 1999, at all.
- He and Janick tried both tuning down during BNW sessions, but that changed "Maiden" sound a lot.
- There aren't any specific parts in post 2000 songs played in drop D; either he plays it in drop D, or doesn't.
- He almost exclusively plays detuned on songs where he's only playing rhythm guitar - The Talisman, Reincarnation Of Benjamin Breeg, Ghost Of The Navigator, etc.
 
1. What does Adrian's D-tuning have to do with his "mythologizing"?
2. Why would a little bias be inappropriate in a thread devoted to his work?
 
Just in general terms here, read the maidenfans "Bio" above Ariana. It's like it's written by someone who thinks a guitar is a magic wand. Either that, or they want to paint that kind of impression. This is the "mythologizing" I refer to, that I don't particularly like. It would be like me trying to write about the "genuis" that is Nicko, when I don't play drums, & know next to nothing about them. Hence why you won't really find me talking about drumming (other than in general terms), preferring to leave that to people who actually play drums. You end up with this fawning, cringeworthy, superlative packed, error written, biased, (but strangely) generic fan biography --which, frankly, means very little. That's really all I meant. I know it's just meant to be educating (imparting facts) in some respects. But it's sort of like when you watch the news & they try an explain "science" in 30 seconds --it's doomed to failure, & indignant ridicule from actual scientists.

As I'm sure you'll agree (since you don't do it, except in jest), Adrian doesn't need all this talking up (plain old talk is fine :D) --his talent(s) speaks perfectly well for itself. Zare's post above is the perfect example of plain talking...
 
I do agree, yes. But I don't see why you get annoyed at those things - you don't need this biography to shape your opinion on his playing skills, right? It doesn't mean anything! If you read the biographies of other members, you'll notice a little hyperbole here and there, too. If someone reads this biography and it is the only source of knowledge about Adrian (or anyone else), that's just their loss. But there's nothing wrong in showing a little affection, especially in this thread. :D
 
I really wish I could 'like' that answer a million times. That's exactly what I was thinking when reading all through these arguments. I just couldn't put it into words to reply in this thread. Thank you! :D
 
I don't know why it annoys me either --& I totally agree with you both. But people do parrot out these inaccuracies (having read them online); including in these forums e.g. Adrian uses bass guitar strings with Maiden.

I'm sure the other biographies are awful too. And, or course, you can express all the affection you wish towards the great H! :D
 
I think I was vague enough in my "bass strings" comment- "one thing Adrian did try to introduce into the Maiden sound was the drop tuning you'll hear on a few songs (I think Run To The Hills was one particular example). I think he's playing "The Molossian"- the Jackson King V with the bass string on it." Thus, "I think" being the operative phrase. I have also since retracted that statement since then when I watched RiR again (it's been a long, long time since I sat and watched it). For some reason, his modified King V stuck in my head as having been on stage with Maiden, but that may have been when I saw them in Cleveland for the Ed Hunter tour. So, to be clear- I was wrong with the Molossian comment (and yes, I know the history of that guitar already), but accurate with the drop tuning. As for the love for H- it is his thread, so where's the issue? If this were the Steve thread or the general Maiden thread I would totally understand the need for balance and more objectivity, but since this seems like the natural place for Adrian's fans to congregate, I don't mind good, honest (and accurate, too) praise for the man. I just wish there was some more solo/side project music of his out there. He's kept way too much of it under wraps, IMO.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top